Fantasy Football: Draft value of running backs gets higher

GateHouse News ServiceOne carry was all it took to remind fantasy football owners of just how fragile your draft and/or season can potentially be.

Ryan Mathews (SD) broke his clavicle on the first carry of pre-season last week, and it has already had a ripple effect on drafts. Mathews says heís targeting a return Week 1 of the regular season, but previous and current fantasy owners of the third-year back know that injuries tend to linger.

Add that to the knee injury to Trent Richardson (CLE) from a couple of weeks ago and the uncertainty of Marshawn Lynch (SEA) and suddenly the value of running backs has skyrocketed.

Iím not too fond of either Richardson (rookie), Lynch (rushed for more yards last year than in last two seasons) or Mathews (injury history), but their absence has ó short or long term ó changed the landscape of the draft.

Last weekend, I participated in my first draft of the year (more on why drafting early is for dummies in a bit). Aside from a few odd-ball picks, it was clear that running backs were going to be selected at a premium.

Nine of the first 15 picks were RBs, including Adrian Peterson (MIN), Chris Johnson (TEN), Matt Forte (CHI) and DeMarco Murray (DAL) which were all drafted in the first round in a 12-team league. Jamaal Charles (KC) and Darren McFadden (OAK) were selected 13th and 14th overall to begin the second round.

I think the general consensus was if I donít take a back soon, Iíll be stuck with a bottom-tier guy as my RB1.

Not good.

This is the climate that some of you may face during your upcoming draft. The upside is there might still be some quality guys available by the time you make your picks (top-tier receivers, QBs and even tight ends may be steals at your draft position).

Remember, itís not impossible to win a league with less-than stellar backs. But youíll probably want to stash as least one capable guy, especially if theyíre elite. Because they likely wonít be there by your next pick.

Drafting early is dumb

There isnít a depth chart in the NFL thatís been finalized. Not one. So whatís the big rush in drafting early in fantasy drafts?

Itís pretty dumb if you ask me. Iíve noted in this space before that drafting early is for dummies. Well, once again you can count me in as a big dummy.

I ended up drafting pretty well ó then again, I say that every year and havenít won a championship since 2010 ó but I picked up players that have question marks.

Mike Wallace (PIT) is still out of camp and will be in a new system with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Greg Jennings (GB) is still concussed and you just donít know with concussions how long a player will be out.

Page 2 of 2 - And of course, nabbing those two players in the second and third round respectively, I wasnít left with much at running back after Ray Rice (BAL). But again, a dummy would draft this early with so many question marks.

Breakiní Bread List

For those unfamiliar or may have just forgotten from last weekís column, the Breakiní Bread List showcases who I expect to be the top scorers for the week.

As the season hasnít exactly started yet, this will show who I believe will be the top six scorers for the season. Hereís the catch ó Iím only using two quarterbacks. As weíve seen of late, QBs tend to score the most points in fantasy, so as to show a more complete list, Iím using that limit.

This list, along with Canít Wait! Waiver Wire Pickups, The Purple Drank list ó presented by JaMarcus Russell and Donít Sleep on my Sleepers will be included in this fantasy column once the football season is underway.

Next week, I will predict my six duds for the season in The Purple Drank list ó presented by JaMarcus Russell.

QB: Aaron Rodgers (GB), Drew Brees (NO)

RB: Ray Rice (BAL), Arian Foster (TEX)

WR: Calvin Johnson (DET)

TE: Rob Gronkowski (NE)

Joey Baskerville (@jmark79) writes his Pick Six Weekly column every Wednesday during the NFL season. He is a sports writer for The Journal-Standard. Reach him at jbaskerville@journalstandard.com.